Originally Posted by
B747-437B
Rules have always been this way in my experience. If you ticket within 24 hours of departure, you are not eligible for chauffeur drive, STPC and a range of other benefits. Travel to/from most African destinations requires you to go in person to a ticket office with a copy of credit card and passport before the ticket will be issued, so you can pick up your STPC voucher at that time.
That is correct, it has always been a requirement to call before 24 hours to departure to get a STPC. Even calling 72 hours in advance I have been told I am wait listed as there is no availability at the hotel. So, YMMV.
On the other hand, when arriving in DXB I have always been able to schedule a Chauffeur drive at the airport and also a pickup, right there on the spot. I usually book them in advance, but on a few occasions I hadn't planned on using a Chauffeur drive, and in the case where they flat denied me a STPC even though I booked it, I walked up to the Chauffeur drive area and asked if it was possible to get one and they always say no problem.